National Showground Image
Make / EDAW release images of their proposal - 28 Mar 2008


© Make Architects / EDAW

A collaborative bid by Make and EDAW has successfully secured their appointment as masterplanners for Scotland’s new National Showground at Norton Park in Edinburgh. The selection was made by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) following a design competition, managed by Mace, which included a shortlist of Foster + Partners, HOK and BDP.

The project involves the development of a masterplan for a major, four seasons, events venue, including a 10,000 seat arena, and a new home for the RHASS and the Highland Show adjacent to their current location at Ingliston. The expansion plans for Edinburgh Airport will involve the land currently owned by the RHASS requiring them to relocate by 2013. The new showground is one of the key developments within the emerging West Edinburgh Planning Framework which aims to facilitate an international gateway to the city.


© Make Architects / EDAW

Ewan Anderson, of Make, said “our team are absolutely thrilled to be selected as the RHASS’ masterplanners for Scotland’s National Showground. It’s a project of national significance as it will create a world class events venue for Scotland at a principal arrival point to the country and its capital city. The Showground will also provide a national focus for the country’s rural industries, building on the traditions of the Society and showcasing its future.”

National Showground Scotland - building info from Make 280408

Scottish National Showground : winning architect - make

RHASS National Showground Winner - News Update 4 Feb 2008:

RHASS appoints Make and Edaw to design Scotland’s National Showground at Norton Park

RHASS has announced that Make and Edaw have won the contract to develop the Masterplan for Scotland’s National Showground.

Ray Jones, Chief Executive, RHASS said:

“Both Make and Edaw have a tremendous track record in designing world class buildings and landscapes. Scotland’s National Showground at Norton Park is an exciting project, which promises to deliver a unique facility in the UK, with a new showground, member’s pavilion, a new Highland hall, a 10,000 seat indoor arena, and over 250 acres of landscaped grounds.”

The £275 million plus project originally attracted the interest of twenty design companies from which four companies were short-listed. The project is expected to begin construction in 2010 with the doors expected to open for the first time in 2013.

The new facilities will generate jobs, bring additional tourists, attract top music acts, and international conferences to Scotland, as well as providing a new home for an even bigger Royal Highland Show.

Ewan Anderson, Partner, Make said:

“The Make/EDAW team are honoured to be selected as the RHASS’s masterplan architects to realise the Society’s bold vision for Scotland’s National Showground at Norton Park. It’s a tremendous opportunity to be involved in delivering a world class events venue and international showcase for Scotland’s rural industries.”

Pol Anderson, Principal, Edaw said:

“RHASS are an ambitious organisation and we are all looking forward to working with them to create an internationally recognised facility which all of Scotland can be proud of.”

Scottish National Showground - News Update Dec 2007:
BDP, Foster & Partners, HOK and make shortlisted in Dec 2007 to design Scottish National Showground.

The Royal Highland Agricultural Society for Scotland chose from 20 submission for the site at Norton Park. Facilities include a new showground, member's pavilion, new Highland hall, 10,000 seat indoor arena, and over 250 acres of landscaped grounds.

Due on site 2009-13 with a cost around £275m. RHASS are demanding a “world class facility”. Mace commissioned to produce a delivery study for the proposed Norton Park site.



Architects shortlisted for Scottish National Showground:
BDP
Foster & Partners
HOK
make

RHASS’ proposed move to the new Norton Park site is in response to the proposed expansion of Edinburgh Airport on to RHASS current site at Ingliston with the first phase of BAA’s masterplan for the airport due in 2013.

Expansion plans for Edinburgh Airport were outlined in the 2003 White Paper on The Future of Air Transport

The Feasibility Study on Norton Park was published in February 2007. It was funded by the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians (SEEL), the RHASS and undertaken by Roger Tym and Partners.

RHASS has commissioned a delivery study for the proposed Norton Park site, which is being conducted by Mace. The study will include a pre-construction survey, planning, design, transport links, design competition, costings and timing. The proposed Norton Park site is located on the outskirts of Edinburgh on the opposite side of the A8 to where RHASS is currently located.

The RHASS established a permanent showground and headquarters at Ingliston nearly 50 years ago. Known as the Royal Highland Centre – Scotland’s National Showground, it hosts around 150 events a year with 1.2 million visitors. It contributes around £250 million annually to the Scottish economy including £100 million to Edinburgh and Lothians.

Make was founded by Ken Shuttleworth in 2004 and has already established itself as one of the UK’s foremost architectural firms, with over 100 employees based in studios in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham. The Edinburgh studio is currently involved in projects throughout Scotland ranging from the redevelopment of the Ross Bandstand, a mixed-use development at Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh, a major office development on the Broomielaw in Glasgow, a project for Forth Ports, masterplans for Inverness Airport Business Park and Speirs Locks in Glasgow, and proposals for the former Edinburgh Odeon.

Edaw:Aecom is currently working on the Olympic Masterplan, where they are the lead masterplanners. In Edinburgh they are currently working on Quartermile, and were responsible for the landscape masterlan for the Royal bank of Scotland HQ at Gogarburn.

Scottish Architects of the past

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Scottish National Showground context : Edinburgh Airport

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Scottish National Showground Building: page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt